Work PR #3

Solon thankful for inclusion of S&T in SONA

AGHAM Party-List Representative Angelo B. Palmones makes known his gratitude to President Aquino for his citation of the efforts of the Department of Science and Technology, his commendation of PAGASA's forecasting system, and prioritization of other science related issues in his 2011 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

"In behalf of the science community, I would like to thank President Aquino for making his support to science research and development clear during his SONA. He does not only take pride in the technologies that are being developed by our local scientists, but also recognizes the important role of S & T in the country’s economic development,” Palmones said.

He further added that this recognition is a positive message that serves as an inspiration to our scientists, researchers and inventors to come up with new discoveries and technologies that will benefit our fellowmen.

Cong. Palmones is the author of House Bill No. 3382 or the Financial Management Reforms Bill for government research and development which aims to support the scientists and researchers in the conduct of their studies. Another subject of the bill he authored, House Bill No. 3676 or the Expansion of the DOST Scholarship Program was mentioned in the SONA as well.

"I am pleased to hear the President mentioned this, and I hope his pronouncements on the expansion of science scholarships as one of his legislative priorities hastens the passage of the bill in this Congress," Palmones added.

As for the President's commendation of PAGASA's weather forecasting, Cong. Palmones hopes that his bill on PAGASA modernization (HB 1877) gets priority attention. It can be recalled that AGHAM Party-list has also launched the Consortium on Meteorology Education and Training (Project COMET) that gives way to the establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology course in colleges & universities to develop a new pool of weather forecasters in the country.

"This is a good sign for our science and technology workers. We hope that the legislative aims of AGHAM Party-list will continually be aligned with President Aquino's policies for science and technology because getting our act together will push forward our development goals." Palmones said.